Plant package and methods of forming same using a thermoplastic flower pot

ABSTRACT

A flower pot in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping is disclosed. The flower pot includes a base portion defining a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium so as to hold and retain the retaining medium. The base portion is constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, and has an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall is substantially devoid of overlapping folds and has decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/113,682, filedMay 23, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,278, issued Jan. 10, 2012; whichis a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/500,218, filed Jul. 9, 2009, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/977,805, filedOct. 26, 2007, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.11/880,543, filed Jul. 23, 2007, now abandoned; which is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 11/135,952, filed May 24, 2005, now abandoned; which isa continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/635,297, filed Aug. 6, 2003, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/247,257, filed onSep. 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,990; which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/969,053, filed on Oct. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,474,020; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/732,375, filedDec. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,786; which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/559,449, filed Apr. 27, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,240,675; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/787,182, filedJan. 21, 1997, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/482,351, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,605. The entirecontents of each of the above-referenced patents and patent applicationsare hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED AND CLAIMED INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates toflower pot covers and more particularly, but not by way of limitation,to flower pot covers having a bottom and an upwardly extending sidewallwherein the sidewall has a thickness less than the thickness of thebottom.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Flower pot covers have traditionally been disposed about the outersurfaces of flower pots to decorate the flower pot and to minimize theamount of water or potting medium which may spill from the flower pot.The materials typically used to form decorative flower pot covers arerelatively thin. While such thin materials are attractive in that theyprovide the flower pot covers with a skirt having a loose, billowyappearance, such materials are susceptible to puncturing or tearing bysharp areas or edges on or near the bottom and sides of the flower potwhich allows moisture to leak through the flower pot cover, possiblycausing damage to carpet, furniture, tile, and other surfaces upon whichthe flower pot cover may be disposed.

However, if rigid or semi-rigid materials are used to produce flower potcovers and make the flower pot covers less susceptible to puncturing ortearing, then the skirt of the flower pot cover loses its loose, billowyappearance. Thus, it would be of benefit to the floral industry and tothe end purchaser to have a flower pot cover constructed of rigid orsemi-rigid material, but which has a skirt having a loose, billowyappearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flower pot cover constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)having a flower pot disposed therein.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 1wherein the flower pot has been removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a basal layerdisposed thereon for forming into the flower pot cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the sheet of material of FIG. 3taken along lines 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of the sheets of material ofFIG. 3 wherein the sheets of material are stacked one on top of theother so as to form a pad of sheets of material, the top sheet ofmaterial of the pad having a flower pot disposed on the basal layer.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a flower pot cover former and bandapplicator apparatus having the sheet of material of FIG. 3 disposedabove an opening formed therein and having a flower pot disposed abovethe sheet of material.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover former and bandapplicator apparatus of FIG. 6 having the flower pot and the sheet ofmaterial disposed in the opening therein.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, illustratingthe positioning of a basal layer on a sheet of material before the sheetof material is positioned in a flower pot cover forming position of aflower pot cover forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagrammatic view, partially in cross section,illustrating a basal layer being disposed onto a sheet of material whenthe sheet of material is positioned in a flower pot cover formingposition of a flower pot cover forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, illustratinga basal layer being disposed automatically onto a sheet of material.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, illustratinga spray assembly for forming a basal layer on a sheet of material.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, illustratinga basal layer being disposed on a sheet of material when the sheet ofmaterial is positioned in a flower pot cover forming position on aflower pot cover forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, of a basallayer insert being disposed into a preformed flower pot cover so as toform a flower pot cover constructed in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, of apreformed flower pot cover being disposed into a basal layer insert soas to form a flower pot cover constructed in accordance with thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view, partially in cross section, of a sprayapplicator forming a basal layer in a preformed flower pot cover so asto form a flower pot cover constructed in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flower pot cover constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)having a sheet extension portion extending about a floral grouping andclosed with an adhesive so as to form an upper sleeve portion.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a sheet of material constructed in accordancewith the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) forforming into the flower pot cover of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 16 formedfrom the sheet of material of FIG. 17 prior to forming the upper sleeveportion from the sheet extension portion.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the flower pot cover shown in FIG. 18having a floral grouping disposed therein and having the upper sleeveportion partially formed about the floral grouping.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, of aflower pot cover having an upper sleeve portion extending about a floralgrouping with the upper sleeve portion closed via a drawstring.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a sheet of material constructed in accordancewith the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) having asheet extension portion connected thereto and a drawstring extendingcircumferentially near the outer peripheral edge of the sheet extensionportion.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an integrally formed flower pot coverhaving a skirt portion constructed in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 22having a growing medium disposed therein and illustrating a base portionthereof tapering into a skirt portion.

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 22having a flower pot disposed therein.

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic, cross sectional view of a sheet of materialpositioned between a male and female mold for forming the sheet ofmaterial into the flower pot cover of FIG. 22 in accordance with thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a sheet of material for forminginto the flower pot cover of FIG. 22 in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a growing medium disposed therein.

FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 27having a flower pot disposed therein.

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a growing medium disposed therein.

FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 29having a flower pot disposed therein.

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a growing medium disposed therein.

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of the flower pot cover of FIG. 31having a flower pot disposed therein.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a plurality of spatially disposed skirtsegments.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a plurality of abuttingly disposed skirtsegments.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flower potcover constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) having a plurality of overlappingly disposed skirtsegments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) in detail, it is to be understood that thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited inits application to the details of construction and the arrangement ofthe components or steps or methodologies set forth in the followingdescription or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) is capable of other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Unless otherwise defined herein, technical terms used in connection withthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) shall have themeanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in theart. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shallinclude pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

All patents, published patent applications and non-patent publicationsmentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill ofthose skilled in the art to which this presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) pertains. All patents, published patentapplications and non-patent publications referenced in any portion ofthis application are herein expressly incorporated by reference in theirentirety to the same extent as if each individual patent or publicationwas specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated byreference.

All of the articles and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. While the articles and methods of the presently disclosedand claimed inventive concept(s) have been described in terms ofpreferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the artthat variations may be applied to the articles and/or methods and in thesteps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein withoutdeparting from the concept, spirit and scope of the presently disclosedand claimed inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to bewithin the spirit, scope and concept of the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.

As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the followingterms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have thefollowing meanings:

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims isused to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer toalternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, althoughthe disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternativesand “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used toindicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for thedevice, the method being employed to determine the value, or thevariation that exists among the study subjects. The use of the term “atleast one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantitymore than one, including but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30,40, 50, 100, etc. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, thequantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higherlimits may also produce satisfactory results.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to allpermutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term.For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to includeat least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is importantin a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB.Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations thatcontain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC,AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan willunderstand that typically there is no limit on the number of items orterms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

“Flower pot cover” as used herein refers to a decorative covering forfloral groupings, flower pots, soil or the like and combinationsthereof.

“Flower pot” or “pot”, as used herein, refers to containers used forholding floral groupings or potted plants. Examples of such flower potsare clay pots, plastic pots and the like. The flower pot defines areceiving space adapted to receive floral groupings. The floral groupingmay be disposed within the receiving space of the flower pot along witha suitable growing medium, a floral foam or combinations thereof. Itwill also be understood that in some cases the floral grouping, and anyappropriate growing medium or other retaining medium, may be disposed ina flower pot cover without the flower pot if the flower pot cover isadapted to contain the growing medium.

“Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificialflowers, a single flower, other fresh and/or artificial plants or otherfloral materials and may include other secondary plants and/orornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to theaesthetics of the overall floral arrangement. The floral grouping maycomprise a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion. However, it willbe appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only a singlebloom or only foliage (not shown). The term “floral grouping” may beused interchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”.

“Polymer film”, as used herein, refers to a man-made polymer such as apolypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. Apolymer film is relatively strong and will not tear as easily as paperor foil.

“Spot” or “spots” as used herein refers to any geometric shape of spotincluding, but not limited to, what is commonly referred to as strips.

“Bonding material” as used herein refers to any type of material orthing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of twoadjacent portions of material or sheets of material to effect theconnection or bonding described herein. “Bonding material” may alsorefer to ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes, staples, heatsealants or combinations thereof.

Further, “bonding material” may also refer to an adhesive, preferably apressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding materialis a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be disposed on anadjacent surface for bonding contact between the two surfaces. “Bondingmaterial” may also refer to materials which are sonic sealable andvibratory sealable. The term “bonding material” may also refer to a heatsealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of material and, inthis instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied toeffect the sealing. Furthermore, the term “bonding material” may alsorefer to any heat or chemically shrinkable material, any electricalmeans, magnetic means, mechanical or barb-type fastening means orclamps, curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporatedin the sheet of material which can cause the material to take on certainshapes, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of thesheet of material to itself or to the flower pot, or to both the sheetitself and the flower pot.

“Band” when used herein refers to any material which may be securedabout an object such as a flower pot, such bands commonly being referredto as elastic bands, rubber bands or non-elastic bands and may alsorefer to any other type of material such as an elastic or non-elasticstring or elastic piece of material, non-elastic piece of material, around piece of material, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece ofpaper strip, a piece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or atwist tie or combinations thereof or any other device capable ofgathering the sheet of material to removably or substantiallypermanently form a crimped portion and secure the crimped portion formedin the sheet of material which may be secured about an object such asthe flower pot. “Band” may also refer to a bow if desired in aparticular application.

Description of FIGS. 1-5

Shown in FIG. 1 is a flower pot cover 10 constructed in accordance withthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The flower potcover 10 is formed from a sheet of material 12 (FIGS. 3-5) shaped todefine a receiving space 14 adapted to receive an object, such as aflower pot 15.

The flower pot cover 10 has a base or lower portion 16 having an outerperipheral surface 18. The base portion 16 has an upper end 20, a lowerend 22 and a continuous sidewall 24 which defines the outer peripheralsurface 18 of the base portion 16. The sidewall 24 of the base portion16 of the flower pot cover 10 has a thickness 26 (FIG. 2). A skirt orupper portion 30 of the flower pot cover 10 is positionedcircumferentially about the upper end 20 of the base portion 16 of theflower pot cover 10 and extends generally outwardly and upwardlytherefrom substantially as shown. The base portion 16 of the flower potcover 10 is further provided with a bottom 32 (FIG. 2) having athickness 34 (FIG. 2) which is greater than the thickness 26 of thesidewall 24 of the base portion 16 and a thickness 36 (FIG. 2) of theskirt portion 30.

The flower pot cover 10 further includes a basal portion 37 having abasal rim portion 38 and a basal base or bottom portion 39. The basalbase portion 39 is disposed substantially adjacent the bottom 32 of thebase portion 16 of the flower pot cover 10 and the basal rim portion 38of the basal portion 37 extends circumferentially about an interiorsurface 41 of the lower end 22 of the base portion 16 of the flower potcover 10. The basal rim portion 38 has an upper end 40, a lower end 42and a height 44 extending generally between the upper and lower ends 40and 42, respectively, of the basal rim portion 38.

The skirt portion 30 of the flower pot cover 10 has a first end 46, asecond end 48 and an outer peripheral edge 50. The thickness 36 of theskirt portion 30 of the flower pot cover 10 substantially corresponds tothe thickness 26 of the sidewall 24 of the base portion 16 of the flowerpot cover 10.

The flower pot cover 10 may be further provided with a plurality ofoverlapping folds, only one of which is designated by the referencenumeral 52. The overlapping folds 52 extend at various distances and atvarious angles over the outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower potcover 10. The overlapping folds 52 may be connected, at least partiallyconnected, or substantially free standing folds independent of adjacentfolds. When it is desired that the overlapping folds 52 be eitherpartially connected or connected, the connection of the overlappingfolds 52 may be accomplished by using a heat sealable material and heatsealing the overlapping folds 52. Alternatively, the overlapping folds52 may be adhesively or cohesively connected. When connected, theoverlapping folds 52 cooperate to provide the flower pot cover 10 withenhanced mechanical reinforcement and thereby provide the flower potcover 10 with a shape sustaining configuration.

The overlapping folds 52 and the manner in which the overlapping folds52 provide the flower pot cover 10 with the enhanced mechanicalreinforcement are explained in more detail in co-pending applicationU.S. Ser. No. 08/347,611, entitled “Flower Pot Assembly Formed From ASheet With An Opening”, filed Nov. 30, 1994, and which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

The sheet of material 12 utilized in the construction of the flower potcover 10 desirably has sufficient memory so that the flower pot cover 10formed from the sheet of material 12 may be flattened (not shown) forshipping and storage purposes and subsequently unflattened for use. Thatis, the sheet of material 12 used in the formation of the flower potcover 10 desirably posses sufficient memory so that the flower pot cover10 formed from the sheet of material 12 can be easily unflattened toassume the preformed shape of the flower pot cover 10 without anysubstantial loss of the preformed shape and without having to beremolded thereby providing a flexible, yet shape sustaining flower potcover 10.

Shown in FIG. 3 is the sheet of material 12 utilized in the formation ofthe flower pot cover 10. The sheet of material 12 has a first end 54, asecond end 56, a first side 58, a second side 60, an upper surface 62and a lower surface 64. The sheet of material 12 has a length 66extending between the first and the second sides 58 and 60,respectively, of the sheet of material 12; and a width 68 extendinggenerally between the first and the second ends 54 and 56, respectively,of the sheet of material 12. The first end 54, the second end 56, thefirst side 58 and the second side 60 cooperate to provide the sheet ofmaterial 12 with an outer peripheral edge 70.

The sheet of material 12 may be constructed of a single sheet ofmaterial or a plurality of sheets of the same or different types ofmaterials. The sheets of material may be separate sheets or the sheetsmay be connected together or laminated together.

Although the sheet of material 12 is shown in FIG. 3 as being generallysquare shaped, it is to be understood that the sheet of material 12 mayassume any geometric, non-geometric or asymmetrical shape. For example,the sheet of material 12 may be square, rectangular, circular, andheart-shaped or the like. The shape of the sheet of material 12 willdepend on the configuration of the flower pot cover 10 to be formed fromthe sheet of material 12.

The sheet of material 12 is further provided with a basal layer 72 forforming the basal portion 37 of the flower pot cover 10. The basal layer72 is disposed on a portion of the sheet of material 12 to be formedinto the bottom 32 of the base portion 16 of the flower pot cover 10.The basal layer 72 may be a separate sheet of material which is affixedto the sheet of material 12 during or after the fabrication of the sheetof material 12 and/or the basal layer 72 may be integrally formed withthe sheet of material 12 (FIG. 25).

Referring now to FIG. 3 in combination with FIG. 4, the basal layer 72has an upper surface 74 and may be provided with a lower surface 76(FIG. 4) when the basal layer 72 is formed from a separate sheet ofmaterial. The lower surface 76, when present, is positioned adjacent theupper surface 62 of the sheet of material 12, and the basal layer 72 maybe affixed to the sheet of material 12 via any suitable bondingmaterial.

The basal layer 72, as shown in FIG. 3 is generally disc shaped and hasa diameter 78 and a periphery 80. However, it is to be noted that thebasal layer 72 may assume any geometric, non-geometric or asymmetricalshape such as a square, a rectangle or an oval.

The basal layer 72, which functions to enhance the strength, rigidityand the resistance to tearing, puncturing, abrading and leaking of thebottom 32 and lower end 22 of the base portion 16 of the flower potcover 10 formed from the sheet of material 12, may be constructed of asingle layer of material (FIG. 3) or a plurality of layers of the sameor different types of materials (FIG. 26), or the basal layer 72 maycomprise an effective amount of a material applied to the sheet ofmaterial 12. Examples of such materials which may be applied to thesheet of material 12 to form the basal layer 72 are foams, inks,lacquers, polymers or the like and combinations thereof.

The sheet of material 12 has a thickness 82 (FIG. 4) that can varywidely and any thickness of the sheet of material 12 may be utilized inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)as long as the sheet of material 12 can be formed into the flower potcover 10 as described herein. Typically, the thickness 82 of the sheetof material 12 will be in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil,desirably in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil and moredesirably in a range from about 0.4 to about 2 mil.

The basal layer 72 has a thickness 84 that can vary widely and anythickness of the basal layer 72 can be utilized in accordance with thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as long as thesheet of material 12 having the basal layer 72 disposed thereon can beformed into the flower pot cover 10, as described herein. Typically, thethickness 84 of the basal layer 72 is in a range from about 0.1 mil toabout 500 mil, desirably in a range from about 0.3 mil to about 100 miland more desirably in a range from about 0.3 mil to 30 mil. The basallayer 72 is generally flexible, but may be relatively rigid as comparedto the sheet of material 12.

The above stated shapes, thicknesses and construction of the sheet ofmaterial 12 and the basal layer 72 will apply to all of the embodimentsof the sheet of material 12 and the basal layer 72 which are discussedherein.

The basal layer 72, and the portion of the sheet of material 12 eitherimmediately below the basal layer 72, or integral thereto, cooperate todefine the basal portion 37 of the flower pot cover 10 having athickness 88. That is, the thickness 82 of the sheet of material 12 andthe thickness 84 of the basal layer 72 cooperate to define the thickness88 of the basal portion 37 of the flower pot cover 10.

The sheet of material 12 has a peripheral portion 90 surrounding thebasal layer 72 and extending a distance 92 from the periphery 80 of thebasal layer 72 to the outer peripheral edge 70 of the sheet of material12. The peripheral portion 90 of the sheet of material 12 has athickness which is equal to the thickness 82 of the sheet of material 12and which is less than the thickness 88 of the basal portion 37 of theflower pot cover 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheet of material 12 and the basal layer72 are constructed from one or more sheets of polypropylene film (a20″×15″ sheet of Mobil 270 ABW white opaque film laminated to a 20″×15″sheet of Mobil 220 AB clear film) having a thickness in a range of fromless than about 0.5 mil to about 1.0 mil. The layers of materialcomprising the sheet of material 12 may be connected together orlaminated or may be separate layers.

The sheet of material 12 and the basal layer 72 may be constructed fromany suitable material that is capable of being formed into the flowerpot cover 10. For example, the sheet of material 12 or the basal layer72 may be constructed out of paper (untreated or treated in any manner),cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven, nonwoven, synthetic,natural and combinations thereof) and combinations thereof.

The sheet of material 12 and/or the basal layer 72 may vary in color.Further, the sheet of material 12 and/or basal layer 72 may consist ofdesigns or decorative patterns which are printed, etched and/or embossedthereon using inks or other printing materials. An example of an inkwhich may be applied to the sheet of material 12 and/or the basal layer72 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled “Water Based Ink OnFoil And/Or Synthetic Organic Polymer” issued to Kingman on Sep. 15,1992.

In addition, the sheet of material 12 and/or the basal layer 72 may havevarious colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or otherdecorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneouslythereon. Alternatively, the sheet of material 12 and/or the basal layer72 may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent,translucent, transparent, iridescent or the like qualities. Each of theabove-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination and eachsurface of the sheet of material 12 and/or the basal layer 72 may varyin the combination of such characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of sheets of material 12 is stacked oneon top of the other to form a pad 94. The plurality of sheets ofmaterial 12 is positioned so that the first sides 58, the second sides60, the first ends 54 and the second ends 56 of the sheets of material12 in the pad 94 are generally aligned. With the exception of the firstor top sheet of material 12, the upper surface 62 of each sheet ofmaterial 12 is disposed generally adjacent the lower surface 64 of anadjacent sheet of material 12 in the pad 94.

The flower pot 15 is disposed upon the upper surface 74 of the basallayer 72 of the sheet of material 12 disposed generally on the top ofthe pad 96. The flower pot 15 is shaped to define a receiving space 96for receiving an object, such as a floral grouping 98. The floralgrouping 98 has a stem portion 100 which is disposed within thereceiving space 96 of the flower pot 15 and a bloom portion 102 whichextends generally upwardly therefrom. The flower pot 15 has a closedbottom end 104, an open upper end 106 and a continuous sidewall 108extending generally between the bottom end 104 and the upper end 106thereof.

One method for forming the sheet of material 12 having the basal layer72 (FIG. 5) into the flower pot cover 10 is to dispose the bottom end104 of the flower pot 15 onto the basal layer 72 substantially as shownin FIG. 5. Thereafter, the peripheral portion 90 of the sheet ofmaterial 12 is lifted and pressed about the sidewall 108 of the flowerpot 15 causing a portion of the upper surface 62 of the sheet ofmaterial 12 to engage the sidewall 108 of the flower pot 15. The lowersurface 64 of the sheet of material 12 thereby forms the outerperipheral surface 18 of the flower pot cover 10, the upper surface 62of the sheet of material 12 thereby forms the interior surface 41 of theflower pot cover 10, the basal portion 86 thereby forms the bottom 32 ofthe flower pot cover 10 and the outer peripheral edge 70 of the sheet ofmaterial 12 thereby forms the outer peripheral edge 50 of the skirtportion 30 of the flower pot cover 10.

The sheet of material 12 can also be formed into the flower pot cover 10employing the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521 entitled“Cover Forming Apparatus” issued to Weder et al., on Mar. 29, 1988,which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, thesheet of material 12 may be formed into the flower pot cover 10 bypositioning the sheet of material 12 between a female die and a male dieas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182 entitled “Article FormingSystem” issued to Weder et al., on Sep. 27, 1988, which is also herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The bottom end 104 of the flower pot 15 desirably has a circumferenceless than the circumference of the basal layer 72 so that when the sheetof material 12 having the basal layer 72 thereon is formed about theflower pot 15, an excess portion of the basal layer 72 extends about thebottom end 104 of the sidewall 108 of the flower pot 15 and cooperateswith the sheet of material 12 to form the basal rim portion 38 of thebasal portion 37 of the flower pot cover 10. It should be understoodthat the height 44 of the basal rim portion 38 of the basal portion 37of the flower pot cover 10 can vary and such will be dependent upon thecircumference of the bottom end 104 of the flower pot 15 and thecircumference of the basal layer 72. Desirably, however, the height 44of the basal rim portion 38 of the basal portion 37 will be in a rangeof about one-fourth to one-third the height of the base portion 16 ofthe flower pot cover 10.

Description of FIGS. 6-7

Shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a flower pot cover former and band applicatorapparatus designated by the reference numeral 112. The flower pot coverformer and band applicator apparatus 112 may be constructed and operatedsimilar to the cover forming device described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.4,733,521 entitled “Cover Forming Apparatus” issued to Weder on Mar. 29,1988 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The flower pot cover former and band applicator device 112 comprises aband applicator 114 and a flower pot cover former 116. The flower potcover former 116 has a support platform 118 with an opening 120 formedtherein. A band 122 is disposed circumferentially about the opening 120in the support platform 118.

The sheet of material 12 is positioned on an upper surface 124 on thesupport platform 118 such that the basal layer 72 on the sheet ofmaterial 12 is positioned over the opening 120 in the support platform118. The flower pot 15 is positioned above the basal layer 72 and ismoved in a direction 126 (FIG. 6) into the opening 120 of the flower potcover former and band applicator device 112. As the flower pot 15 ismoved into the opening 120, the basal layer 72 is formed about thebottom end 104 of the flower pot 15 and a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 12 is pressed against the sidewall 108 of the flower pot 15thereby forming the flower pot cover 10 about the flower pot 15. Theflower pot cover 10 is then secured about the flower pot 15 by the band122. The flower pot 15 having the flower pot cover 10 secured thereto isthen moved in a direction 128 (FIG. 7) out of the opening 120 in thesupport platform 118.

Instead of securing the flower pot cover 10 about the flower pot 15 viathe band 122, the flower pot cover 10 formed from the sheet of material12 may be secured to the flower pot 15 by the use of one or more bondingmaterials. For example, the upper surface 62 of the sheet of material 12may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof. When thesheet of material 12 is disposed about the flower pot 15, at least aportion of the upper surface 62 of the sheet of material 12 contacts thesidewall 108 of the flower pot 15 and is thereby bonded and held aboutthe flower pot 15 via the bonding material. It should be noted that thebonding material may be disposed either on the upper surface 62 of thesheet of material 12 or on the upper surface 74 of the basal layer 72 orboth.

The bonding material may cover a portion of the sheet of material 12 orthe bonding material may entirely cover the sheet of material 12. Thebonding material may be disposed on the upper surface 62 of the sheet ofmaterial 12 in the form of a strip or in the form of spaced apart spots.One method for disposing a bonding material on a sheet of material 12 isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping AFloral Grouping”, issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992, which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

Description of FIGS. 8-12

Shown in FIG. 8 is the formation of a basal layer 72 a on a sheet ofmaterial 12 a utilizing a flower pot cover forming apparatus 130. Theflower pot cover forming apparatus 130 may be constructed in a similarmanner as the modified article forming system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,773,182, entitled “Article Forming System”, issued to Weder on Sep.27, 1988, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

A material supply, designated by the reference numeral 132, comprises aroll of material 134 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 136 for permittingmaterial to be rollingly withdrawn from the roll of material 134. Thesheet of material 12 a is produced from the roll of material 134 and issimilar to the sheet of material 12 herein before described. The sheetof material 12 a is formed by severing or disconnected a segment fromthe roll of material 134 using a cutting device 138.

The roll of material 134 has a leading edge 140. In operation, theleading edge 140 is gripped and withdrawn from the roll of material 134in a direction 142 via rollers 144 and 146. The material is unrolledfrom the roll of material 134 and fed through rollers 144 and 146 andthen through rollers 148 and 150 until a desired length of material toform the sheet of material 12 a has been withdrawn from the roll ofmaterial 134. The sheet of material 12 a is then formed by severing asegment from the roll of material 134 via the cutting device 138.Subsequently, a basal layer 72 a is moved in a direction 152 so that thebasal layer 72 a is disposed upon the upper surface 62 a of the sheet ofmaterial 12 a and affixed thereto via a suitable bonding material, forexample.

Once the basal layer 72 a has been affixed to the sheet of material 12a, the sheet of material 12 a is advanced via rollers 154 and 156 to aflower pot cover forming position of the flower pot cover formingapparatus 130 wherein the sheet of material 12 a is positioned above afemale die 158 and below a male die 160 of the flower pot cover formingapparatus 130.

To form the sheet of material 12 a into the flower pot cover 10, themale die 160 is moved in a direction 162 so that the male die 160engages the basal layer 72 a affixed to the sheet of material 12 a andmoves the sheet of material 12 a into an opening 164 of the female die158 thereby forming the sheet of material 12 a into the flower pot cover10 as heretofore described. The male die 168 is then retracted and theflower pot cover 10 removed from the flower pot cover forming apparatus130.

If desired, two separate rolls of material (not shown) with one of therolls of material having a first material and the other roll of materialhaving a second material may be utilized in the formation of the flowerpot cover 10. When employing two separate rolls of material, the firstmaterial is withdrawn from the first roll of material and the secondmaterial is simultaneously withdrawn from the second roll of material sothat the first and the second materials are overlaid and provided in amanner as generally shown herein for severing by the cutting device 138from the first and the second rolls of material to provide dual sheetsof material.

FIG. 9 shows a flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 b which is similarto the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8 except asnoted below. When employing the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130b, a sheet of material 12 b is formed from the roll of material 134 bvia tearing a segment from the roll of material 134 b along a row ofperforations 166. The sheet of material 12 b is then advanced to aflower pot cover forming position of the flower pot cover formingapparatus 130 b wherein the sheet of material 12 b is disposed above afemale die 158 b and below a male die 160 b, as heretofore described. Abasal layer 72 b is the disposed on an upper surface 62 b of the sheetof material 12 b.

To form the flower pot cover 10 from the sheet of material 12 b, themale die 160 b is moved in a direction 162 b so that the male die 160 bengages the basal layer 72 b and moves the basal layer 72 b and thesheet of material 12 b into an opening 164 b of the female die 158 b.Thereafter, the male die 160 b is retracted and the flower pot cover 10is removed from the opening 164 b of the female die 158 b so as to forma flower pot cover as heretofore described.

FIG. 10 shows a flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 c similar to theflower pot cover forming apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8 except that whenemploying the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 c, a basal layer 72c is disposed automatically via a vacuum apparatus 168 upon an uppersurface 62 c of a sheet of material 12 c.

A segment of material is severed from a roll of material 134 c via acutting assembly 138 c so as to form a sheet of material 12 c as hereinbefore described. The basal layer 72 c is removed from a stack of basallayers (not shown) and deposited on an upper surface 62 c of the sheetof material 12 c via the vacuum apparatus 168 prior to the sheet ofmaterial 12 c being positioned in the flower pot cover forming positionof the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 c wherein the sheet ofmaterial 12 c is positioned above a female die 158 c and below a maledie 160 c. Once the basal layer 72 c is deposited upon the upper surface62 c of the sheet of material 12 c, the vacuum apparatus 168 releasesthe vacuum and is positioned to receive another basal layer 72 c fromthe stack of basal layers (not shown).

The sheet of material 12 c having the basal layer 72 c disposed thereonis then advanced to the flower pot cover forming position of the flowerpot cover forming apparatus 130 c as described above. The basal layer 72c may or may not be bondingly connected to the sheet of material 12 cprior to the formation of a flower pot cover 10.

To form a flower pot cover from the sheet of material 12 c, the male die160 c is moved in a direction 162 c so that the male die 160 c engagesthe basal layer 72 c and moves the basal layer 72 c and the sheet ofmaterial 12 c into an opening 164 c of the female die 158 c so as toform the sheet of material 12 c into a flower pot cover having a basalportion similar to the flower pot cover 10 described with reference toFIG. 1. Thereafter, the male die 160 c is retracted and the flower potcover so formed is removed from the opening 164 c of the female die 158c.

FIG. 11 shows a flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 d which issimilar to the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8except that when employing the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 d,a spray assembly 170 sprays an effective amount of material 172 on anupper surface 62 d of a sheet of material 12 d so as to form a basallayer 72 d on the sheet of material 12 d prior to the formation of aflower pot cover from the sheet of material 12 d. Any suitable materialwhich can be sprayed onto the sheet of material 12 d and cured toprovide the basal layer 72 d can be utilized. For example, foamablecompounds, such as insulating foams or foaming inks, both of which arecommercially available and known in the art, can be utilized to form thebasal layer 72 d.

Once an effective amount of a material 172 has been sprayed onto thesheet of material 12 d to form the basal layer 72 d and the material 172has cured, the sheet of material 12 d with the basal layer 72 d formedthereon is positioned in a flower pot cover forming position wherein thesheet of material 12 d is positioned generally above a female die 158 dand generally below a male die 160 d of the flower pot cover formingapparatus 130 d. To form a flower pot cover from the sheet of material12 d, the male die 160 d is moved in a direction 162 d so that the maledie 160 d engages the basal layer 72 d and thus moves the basal layer 72d and the sheet of material 12 d into an opening 164 d of the female die158 d to form a flower pot cover. Thereafter, the male die 160 d isretracted and the flower pot cover so formed is removed from the opening164 d of the female die 158 d.

FIG. 12 shows a flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 e similar to theflower pot cover forming apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8 except that whenemploying the flower pot cover forming apparatus 130 e, a basal layer 72e is disposed automatically on a sheet of material 12 e while the sheetof material 12 e is in a flower pot cover forming position of the flowerpot cover forming apparatus 130 e.

The sheet of material 12 e is formed by severing a segment of materialfrom a roll of material 134 e via a cutting assembly 138 e. The sheet ofmaterial 12 e is then advanced via rollers 154 e and 156 e so as to bepositioned between a female die 158 e and a male die 160 e of the flowerpot cover forming apparatus 130 e.

The male die 168 e picks up the basal layer 72 e from a stack of basallayers (not shown) and deposits the basal layer 72 e upon an uppersurface 62 e of the sheet of material 12 e while the sheet of material12 e is in the flower pot cover forming position of the flower pot coverforming apparatus 130 e.

The basal layer 72 e may have a preformed “saucer” shape similar to thatshown in FIG. 13 which engagingly fits upon a lower end 174 of the maledie 160 e. Alternatively, the basal layer 72 e may be substantially flatas shown in FIG. 12.

To form a flower pot cover from the sheet of material 12 e, the male die160 e having the basal layer 72 supported on the lower end 174 thereof,is moved in the direction 162 e so that the basal layer engages thesheet of material 12 e. Continued movement of the male die 160 e in thedirection 162 e moves the basal layer 72 e and the sheet of material 12e into an opening 164 e of the female die 158 e to form a flower potcover. Thereafter, the male die 160 e is retracted and the flower potcover so formed is removed from the opening 164 e of the female die 158e.

Although the methods for forming the flower pot cover 10 illustrated inFIGS. 8-12 show the material supply being in the form of a roll ofmaterial, it is to be understood that other systems may be utilized toprovide the material supply. For example, the material supply could alsobe a plurality of sheets of material 12 stacked in the form of a pad,such as the pad 95 formed from a plurality of sheet of material 12 shownin FIG. 5.

Description of FIGS. 13-15

FIG. 13 illustrates a method of forming the flower pot cover 10 of FIGS.1 and 2 having the basal portion 37 from a preformed flower pot cover176. The preformed flower pot cover 176 defines a receiving space 178and has an open upper end portion 180 and a closed bottom end 182.

The preformed flower pot cover 176 may be constructed in a similarmanner as the decorative flower pot cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,773,182, entitled “Article Forming System”, issued to Weder on Sep.27, 1988, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

To form the flower pot cover 10 from the preformed flower pot cover 176,the preformed flower pot cover 176 is disposed on a conveyor assembly184 and moved in a direction 186 to position the preformed flower potcover 176 below a basal applicator assembly 188. The basal applicatorassembly 188 comprises a vacuum cup 190 which applies a vacuum to hold asaucer shaped basal layer insert 192 thereto. The vacuum cup 190 and thebasal layer insert 192 are moved in a direction 194 into and through thereceiving space 178 formed in the preformed flower pot cover 176 to aposition wherein the basal layer insert 192 is disposed within thereceiving space 178 substantially adjacent the bottom end 182 of thepreformed flower pot cover 176.

Thereafter, vacuum is removed from the vacuum cup 190 of the basalapplicator assembly 188 so that the vacuum cup 190 releases the basallayer insert 192. The vacuum cup 190 of the basal applicator assembly188 is then returned to a position wherein the vacuum cup 190 of thebasal applicator assembly 188 receives another basal layer insert 192for inserting into another preformed flower pot cover 176.

To facilitate the positioning of the basal layer insert 192 within thereceiving space 178 of the flower pot cover 176 so that the basal layerinsert 192 is disposed substantially adjacent the bottom end 182 of thepreformed flower pot cover 176, the basal layer insert 192 has acircumference equal to or less than the interior circumference of thebottom end 182 of the preformed flower pot cover 176. The basal layerinsert 192 may be secured to the bottom end 182 of the preformed flowerpot cover 176 by coating a lower end 196 of the basal layer insert 192and/or the bottom end 182 of the preformed flower pot cover 176 with abonding material prior to positioning the basal layer insert 192substantially adjacent the bottom end 182 of the preformed flower potcover 176.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method for forming a flower pot cover 10 f fromthe preformed flower pot cover 176 having a basal portion 37 b formedfrom a basal layer insert 192 a. The basal layer 192 a is substantiallyidentical in construction as the basal layer 192 described withreference to FIG. 13 except that the basal layer 192 a is provided withan interior circumference which is at least equal to the exteriorcircumference of the bottom end 182 of the preformed flower pot cover176.

To form the flower pot cover 10 f, the saucer shaped basal layer insert192 a is disposed on the conveyor assembly 184 and moved in thedirection 186 to position the basal layer insert 192 a below a preformedflower pot cover applicator assembly 188 a. A vacuum cup 190 a of thepreformed flower pot cover applicator assembly 188 a, which applies avacuum to hold the preformed flower pot cover 176 thereto, and thepreformed flower pot cover 176 are moved in a direction 194 a wherebythe bottom end 182 of the preformed flower pot cover 176 is positionedwith the basal layer insert 192 a substantially as shown.

When the basal layer insert 192 a is positioned about the bottom end 182of the preformed flower pot cover 176, the vacuum from the vacuum cup190 a of the preformed flower pot cover applicator assembly 188 a isreleased and the vacuum cup 190 a is retracted to a loading position(not shown) for obtaining another preformed flower pot cover 176.

A bonding material may be disposed upon the bottom end 182 of thepreformed flower pot cover 176 for bonding the bottom end 182 of thepreformed flower pot cover 176 to the basal layer insert 192 a.Alternatively, a bonding material may be disposed upon a lower end 196 aof the basal layer insert 192 a for bonding the basal layer insert 192 aabout the bottom end 182 of the preformed flower pot cover 176.Alternatively, a cohesive bonding material may be disposed upon both thelower end 196 a of the basal layer insert 192 a and on the bottom end182 of the preformed flower pot cover 176 for bonding the basal layerinsert 192 a to the preformed flower pot cover 176.

Illustrated in FIG. 15 is a method for forming a flower pot cover 10 ghaving a basal portion 37 b from the preformed flower pot cover 176 anda sprayable material 200. To form the flower pot cover 10 g from thepreformed flower pot cover 176 and the sprayable material 200, thepreformed flower pot cover 176 is disposed on the conveyor assembly 184and moved in the direction 186 to position the preformed flower potcover 176 below a spray applicator assembly 202. The spray applicatorassembly 202 comprises a spray applicator head 204 which is moved in thedirection 194 through the receiving space 178 formed in the preformedflower pot cover 176. While the spray applicator head 204 of theapplicator assembly 202 is disposed within the receiving space 178 ofthe preformed flower pot cover 176, an effective amount of the sprayablematerial 200 capable of providing a basal layer 203 is sprayed about thebottom end 178 of the preformed flower pot cover 176 via the sprayapplicator head 204 so as to form the flower pot cover 10 g having thebasal portion 37 b. Thereafter, the spray applicator head 204 isretracted to a position (not shown) for awaiting the next preformedflower pot cover 176.

Description of FIGS. 16-19

Illustrated in FIG. 16 is a flower pot cover 10 h constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s). The flower pot cover 10 h is formed from a sheet of material12 h (FIG. 17) shaped to define a receiving space 14 h adapted toreceive an object, such as a flower pot 15 and a floral grouping 98.

The flower pot cover 10 h has a base or lower portion 16 h having anouter peripheral surface 18 h. The base portion 16 h has an upper end 20h, a lower end 22 h and a continuous sidewall 24 h which defines theouter peripheral surface 18 h of the base portion 16 h. A skirt or upperportion 30 h of the flower pot cover 10 h is positionedcircumferentially about the upper end 20 h of the base portion 16 h ofthe flower pot cover 10 h and extends generally outwardly and upwardlytherefrom substantially as shown in FIG. 16. The base portion 16 h ofthe flower pot cover 10 h is further provided with a bottom 32 h.

The flower pot cover 10 h further includes a basal portion 37 h having abasal rim portion 38 h and a basal base or bottom portion 39 h. Thebasal base portion 39 h is disposed substantially adjacent the bottom 32h of the base portion 16 h of the flower pot cover 10 h and the rimportion 38 h of the basal portion 37 h extends circumferentially aboutan interior surface (not shown) of the lower end 22 h of the baseportion 16 h of the flower pot cover 10 h. The basal rim portion 38 hhas an upper end 40 h, a lower end 42 h and a height (not shown)extending generally between the upper and lower ends 40 h and 42 h,respectively, of the basal rim portion 38 h.

The skirt portion 30 h of the flower pot cover 10 h has a first end 46h, a second end 48 h and an outer peripheral edge 50 h. An upper sleeveportion 206 of the flower pot cover 10 h extends about the floralgrouping 98 disposed within the receiving space 14 h of the flower potcover 10 h so as to provide the floral grouping with a protectivecovering. Typically, the upper sleeve portion 206 of the flower potcover 10 h is removably connected to the outer peripheral edge 50 h ofthe skirt portion 30 h of the flower pot cover 10 h.

To facilitate the removal of the upper sleeve portion 206 from the skirtportion 30 h of the flower pot cover 10 h, the flower pot cover 10 h isprovided with perforations 208 extending generally between the skirtportion 30 h and the upper sleeve portion 206 substantially as shown.The upper sleeve portion 206 remains formed in a position extendingabout and above the floral grouping 98 until it is desired to remove theupper sleeve portion 206 from the flower pot cover 10 h. The uppersleeve portion 206 may be removed from the flower pot cover 10 h bytearing along the perforations 208 extending between the skirt portion30 h and the upper sleeve portion 206 of the flower pot cover 10 h. Oncethe perforations are torn, the upper sleeve portion 206 may be liftedfrom the flower pot cover 10 h and removed therefrom.

Illustrated in FIG. 17 is the sheet of material 12 h which is utilizedin the formation of the flower pot cover 10 h (FIG. 16). The sheet ofmaterial 12 h has a first end 54 h, a second end 56 h, a first side 58h, a second side 60 h, an upper surface 62 h and a lower surface (notshown). The sheet of material 12 h has a length 66 h extending betweenthe first and the second sides 58 h and 60 h, respectively, thereof; anda width 68 h extending generally between the first and the second ends54 h and 56 h, respectively, thereof. The first end 54 h, the second end56 h, the first side 58 h and the second side 60 h cooperate to providethe sheet of material 12 h with an outer peripheral edge 70 h.

The sheet of material 12 h is further provided with a basal layer 72 hfor forming the basal portion 37 h of the flower pot cover 10 h. Thebasal layer 72 h is disposed on the portion of the sheet of material 12h to be formed into a bottom 32 h of a base portion 16 h of the flowerpot cover 10 h, which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. Thebasal layer 72 h may be a separate sheet of material which is affixed tothe sheet of material 12 h and/or the basal layer 72 h may be formedintegrally with the sheet of material 12 h.

The basal layer 72 h has an upper surface 74 h and may be provided witha lower surface (not shown) when the basal layer 72 h is formed from aseparate sheet of material which is affixed to the sheet of material 12h; and the basal layer 72 may be affixed to the sheet of material 12 hvia a suitable bonding material.

The basal layer 72 h, which has a diameter 78 h and a basal periphery 80h, and the portion of the sheet of material 12 h either immediatelybelow the basal layer 72 h, or integral thereto, cooperate to define thebasal portion 37 h of the flower pot cover 10 h. Thus, the basal portion37 h of the flower pot cover 10 h has a thickness greater than thethickness of the continuous sidewall 24 h of the base portion 16 h ofthe flower pot cover 10 h.

The sheet of material 12 h is further provided with a peripheral portion90 h which forms the continuous sidewall 24 h of the base portion 16 hof the flower pot cover 10 h and the skirt portion 30 h of the flowerpot cover 10 h when the sheet of material 12 h is formed into the flowerpot cover 10 h. The peripheral portion 90 h of the sheet of material 12h surrounds the basal layer 72 h of the sheet of material 12 h andextends a distance 210 outwardly from the basal periphery 80 h of thebasal layer 72 h to a periphery 212 of the peripheral portion 90 h ofthe sheet of material 12 h.

The sheet of material 12 h is further provided with a sheet extensionportion 216 which forms the upper sleeve portion 206 of the flower potcover 10 h when the sheet of material 12 h is formed into the flower potcover 10 h. The sheet extension portion 216 of the sheet of material 12h generally surrounds the periphery 212 of the peripheral portion 90 hof the sheet of material 12 h and extends a distance 218 outwardlytherefrom to the outer peripheral edge 70 h of the sheet of material 12h. The sheet of material 12 h is further provided with perforations 208extending about the periphery 212 of the peripheral portion 90 h of thesheet of material 12 h. As previously stated, the upper sleeve portion206 of the flower pot cover 10 h can be removed from the skirt portion30 h of the flower pot cover 10 h by tearing along the perforations 208extending between the skirt portion 30 h and the upper sleeve portion206.

Typically, the sheet extension portion 216 is integrally formed with theperipheral portion 90 h of the sheet of material 12 h. However, it is tobe understood that the sheet extension portion 216 may be formed from aseparate sheet of material which is positioned and attachedcircumferentially about the periphery 212 of the peripheral portion 90 hof the sheet of material 12 h.

A bonding material 220, such as an adhesive (FIG. 17), may be disposedon a portion of the upper surface 62 h of the sheet extension portion216 of the sheet of material 12 h. Typically, the bonding material 220extends circumferentially near the outer peripheral edge 70 h of thesheet of material 12 h.

The flower pot cover 10 h may be formed from the sheet of material 12 hby any method which has been described above or which is known in theart. For example, the sheet of material 12 h can be formed into theflower pot cover 10 h by the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,073,161, entitled “Apparatus for Making a Flower Pot or Flower PotCover With Controlled Pleats”, issued to Weder et al., Dec. 17, 1991,which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Illustrated in FIG. 18 is the flower pot cover 10 h which has beenformed from the sheet of material 12 h. Once the sheet of material 12 hhas been formed into the flower pot cover 10 h, the basal portion 37 hand the peripheral portion 90 h of the sheet of material 12 h forms thebase portion or lower portion 16 h and the skirt portion 30 h of theflower pot cover 10 h in a similar manner as the basal portion 37 andthe peripheral portion 90 of the sheet of material 12 forms the baseportion 16 and the skirt portion 30 of the flower pot cover 10, hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1. The sheet extension portion216 of the sheet of material 12 h extends a distance 218 outwardly fromthe outer peripheral edge 50 h of the skirt portion 30 h of the flowerpot cover 10 h when the sheet of material 12 h has been formed into theflower pot cover 10 h.

As shown in FIG. 19, the sheet extension portion 216 forms the uppersleeve portion 206 of the flower pot cover 10 h, and provides aprotective covering for the floral grouping 98 disposed in the receivingspace 14 h of the flower pot cover 10 h. To form the sheet extensionportion 216 into the upper sleeve portion 206, the flower pot 15 havingthe floral grouping 98 disposed therein is disposed in the receivingspace 14 h of the flower pot cover 10 h so that the lower end 100 of theflower pot 15 is disposed generally adjacent the basal portion 37 hformed in the lower end 22 h of the base portion 16 h of the flower potcover 10 h. The sheet extension portion 216 is then lifted and formedabout the floral grouping 98 so that a portion of the outer peripheraledge 70 h of the sheet of material 12 h which forms the sheet extensionportion 216 of the flower pot cover 10 h extends above the floralgrouping 98 and forms an open upper end 222.

The open upper end 222 may be closed by bondingly connecting adjacentportions of the open upper end 222 via the bonding material 220 locatednear the open upper end 222 of the upper sleeve portion 206 of theflower pot cover 10 h, substantially as shown in FIG. 16.

In addition to the perforations 208, the upper sleeve portion 206 mayalso include perforations (not shown) extending between the perforations208 and the open upper end 222 of the upper sleeve portion 206 so as tofurther assist in the removal of the upper sleeve portion 206 from theflower pot cover 10 h.

Description of FIGS. 20 and 21

Shown in FIG. 20 and designated by the general reference number 10 i isa flower pot cover constructed in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The flower pot cover 10 i issubstantially identical in construction as the flower pot cover 10 hwith the exception that the flower pot cover 10 i is further providedwith a crimped portion 224 disposed above the flower pot 15 andextending a distance radially inwardly toward a central portion (notshown) of the flower pot encased by the flower pot cover 101substantially as shown.

The flower pot cover 10 i is formed from a sheet of material 12 i shownin FIG. 21. The sheet of material 12 i is substantially identical inconstruction to the sheet of material 12 h except that the sheet ofmaterial 12 i is generally circular in shape; the sheet of material 12 iis provided with a drawstring 226 extending circumferentially near anouter peripheral edge 70 i thereof for closing an upper end 222 a of theflower pot cover 10 i formed from the sheet of material 12 i; and thesheet of material 12 i is further provided with a bonding material 228extending about a peripheral portion 90 i surrounding a basal layer 72i.

The crimped portion 224, which holds the flower pot cover 10 i about theflower pot 15, may be formed by bringing together portions of the flowerpot cover 10 i near and about the bonding material 228 so that theseportions of the flower pot cover 10 i are disposed adjacent each other.The adjacent portions of the flower pot cover 10 i are then bondinglyconnected via the bonding material 228 disposed thereon so as to formthe crimped portion 224.

Other embodiments of the flower pot cover 12 i are possible in which thesheet of material 12 i or sheet extension portion 216 i may be crimpedand the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is notlimited only to those described herein. For example, a band or adrawstring may be placed about a portion of the flower pot coverextending above the upper end of the flower pot with the band ordrawstring engaging the portion of the flower pot cover extending abovethe flower pot so that the band forms the crimped portion 224 in theflower pot cover 10 i. When the drawstring is utilized in the formationof the crimped portion, the drawstring must be drawn so as to form aplurality of overlapping folds in the flower pot cover. Once drawn, thedrawstring may be secured by tying the drawstring into a bow, a knot orthe like. Other versions of crimping are illustrated and described inthe co-pending patent application entitled “Covering For Flower Pot andFloral Grouping”, Ser. No. 08/037,067, filed by the Applicant on Mar.25, 1993.

After the sheet extension portion 212 i is formed into the upper sleeveportion 220 i, the drawstring 226 may be drawn to close the upper end222 i of the upper sleeve portion 206 i; and the upper end 222 may besecurely closed by tying the drawstring 226 into a bow, a knot, or thelike. Although it is preferred to close the upper end 222 by way of thefirst bonding material 217 or the drawstring 226, it should beunderstood that the upper end 222 may be closed by any means known inthe art.

Description of FIGS. 22-26

Shown in FIGS. 22-24 and designated by the general reference numeral 10j is a thermoplastic flower pot cover constructed in accordance with thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The flower potcover 10 j is formed from a sheet of material 12 j (FIGS. 25 and 26)shaped to define a receiving space 14 k adapted to receive an objectsuch as a growing medium 15 a (FIG. 23) or the flower pot 15 (FIG. 24).

The flower pot cover 10 j is provided with a rigid base or lower portion16 j having an upper end 20 j, a lower end 22 j and a continuoussidewall 24 j. The sidewall 24 j of the base portion 16 j of the flowerpot cover 10 i has a thickness 26 j (FIG. 23). A tapered, flexible skirtportion 30 j of the flower pot cover 10 j extends circumferentiallyabout the upper end 20 j of the base portion 16 j of the flower potcover 10 j in a generally upwardly and outwardly direction substantiallyas shown. The base portion 16 j of the flower pot cover 10 j is furtherprovided with a bottom 32 j (FIGS. 23 and 24) having a thickness 34 jwhich is substantially equal to or greater than the thickness 26 j ofthe sidewall 24 j of the base portion 16 j.

As shown in FIG. 23, the flower pot cover 10 j may be adapted to containthe growing medium 15 a within the receiving space 14 j. In thisinstance, the flower pot cover 10 j may further be provided with a drainhole 232 formed through a portion of the bottom 32 j of the base portion16 j of the flower pot cover 10 j.

The skirt portion 30 j of the flower pot cover 10 j is formed integrallywith the base portion 16 j and has a first end 46 j, a second end 48 jand an outer peripheral edge 50 j. The skirt portion 30 j of the flowerpot cover 10 j has a diminishing thickness extending from the first end46 j towards the second end 48 j of the skirt portion 30 j so that theflower pot cover 10 j has a first skirt portion thickness 234substantially equal to the thickness 26 j of the sidewall 24 j of thebase portion 16 j and a second skirt portion thickness 236 which is lessthan the first skirt portion thickness 234.

The flower pot cover 10 j is preferably constructed from a sheet ofthermoplastic material 12 j (FIGS. 25 and 26) which has been thermalformed into the flower pot cover 10 i by a mold system 240 comprising amale mold 242 and a female mold 244. The sheet of material 12 j has afirst end 54 j, a second end 56 j, an upper surface 62 j and a lowersurface 64 j. The sheet of material 12 j is further provided with awidth 68 j extending between the first and the second ends 54 j and 56j, respectively.

The sheet of material 12 j is further provided with a basal layer 72 jpositioned on a portion of the sheet of material 12 j to be formed intothe base portion 16 j of the flower pot cover 10 j. The basal layer 72 jhas an upper surface 74 j and a lower surface 76 j (FIG. 26). The lowersurface 76 j is positioned substantially adjacent the upper surface 62 jof the sheet of material 12 j and is affixed to the sheet of material 12j via any suitable bonding material.

The basal layer 72 j has a diameter 78 j and a periphery 80 i. Theportion of the sheet of material 12 j immediately below the basal layer72 j cooperates with the basal layer 72 j to define a basal portion 37 jof the flower pot cover 10 j having a thickness 88 j. When the sheet ofmaterial 12 j is formed into the flower pot cover 10 j, the basalportion 37 j of the sheet of material 12 j forms the bottom 32 j and atleast a portion of the sidewall 24 j of the flower pot cover 10 j.

The sheet of material 12 j is further provided with a tapered peripheralportion 90 j which forms the flexible, tapered skirt portion 30 j of theflower pot cover 10 j when the sheet of material 12 j is formed into theflower pot cover 10 j. The tapered peripheral portion 90 j surrounds thebasal portion 37 j and tapers outwardly from the basal periphery 80 j ofthe basal portion 37 j to the outer peripheral edge 70 j of the sheet ofmaterial 12 j. In other words, the peripheral portion 90 j of the sheetof material 12 j has a first thickness 234 extending along the basalperiphery 80 j greater than a second thickness 236 extending along theouter peripheral edge 70 j of the sheets of material 12 j.

The sheet of material 12 j may be constructed of a single layer ofmaterial, as substantially shown in FIG. 25, or a plurality of layers ofthe same and/or different types of materials, as substantially shown inFIG. 26. The thickness of the sheet of material 12 j and the basalportion 86 j thereof may vary widely and any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 12 j and the basal portion 86 j thereof may be utilized inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)so long as the sheet of material 12 j is formable into the flower potcover 10 j, as described herein. When the sheet of material 12 j isconstructed of a plurality of layers of material, each layer of materialmay be connected to an adjacent layer of material via a bondingmaterial.

It is to be understood that the flower pot cover 10 j may be formed fromany process formerly disclosed herein and from any process which isknown in the art. For example, the flower pot cover 10 j may be formedfrom an injection molding process, a blow molding process, a thermalforming process, an extrusion process, a vacuum process or combinationsthereof. All of these processes are well known in the art. Therefore, noadditional comments on molding the sheet of thermoplastic material 12 jand forming the sheet of material 12 j into the flower pot cover 10 jare deemed necessary in order to teach a person skilled in the art howto manufacture the flower pot cover 10 j.

Description of FIGS. 27-28

Shown in FIG. 27 is a flower pot cover constructed in accordance withthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) and generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10 k. The flower pot cover 10 kdefines a receiving space 14 k adapted to receive an object, such as agrowing medium 15 a (FIG. 27) or the flower pot 15 (FIG. 28).

The flower pot cover 10 k has a base or lower portion 16 k desirablyconstructed of a rigid material. The base portion 16 k has an upper end20 k, a lower end 22 k and a continuous sidewall 24 k. The sidewall 24 kof the base portion 16 k of the flower pot cover 10 k has a thickness 26k.

The flower pot cover 10 k is further provided with a flexible skirt orupper portion 30 k having a thickness 36 k which is less than thethickness 26 k of the sidewall 24 k of the base portion 16 k of theflower pot cover 10 k and which is desirably tapered so as to providethe skirt portion 30 k with a billowy appearance. The skirt portion 30 kextends from the upper end 20 k of the base portion 16 k of the flowerpot cover 10 k in a generally outwardly and upwardly directionsubstantially as shown. The base portion 16 k of the flower pot cover 10k is further provided with a bottom 32 k having a thickness 34 k whichis greater than the thickness 26 k of the sidewall 24 k of the baseportion 16 k.

The skirt portion 30 k has a first end 46 k, a second end 48 k and aninner surface 252 defining a generally circularly shaped skirt portionopening 254 formed through a central portion thereof. The opening 254 ofthe skirt portion 30 k, near the first end 46 k thereof, has a diametersubstantially equal to an outside diameter of the sidewall 24 k of thebase portion 16 k, near the upper end 20 k thereof, so that the innersurface 252 of the skirt portion 30 k, near the first end 46 k thereof,matingly engages the sidewall 24 k of the base portion 16 k, near theupper end 20 k thereof substantially as shown.

To form the flower pot cover 10 k, the skirt portion 30 k is disposedgenerally above the base portion 16 k and positioned on the upper end 20k of the base portion 16 k so that the upper end 20 k of the baseportion 16 k extends upwardly into the opening 254 defined by innersurface 252 of the skirt portion 30 k. In this position, the innersurface 252 of the skirt portion 30 k, near the first end 46 k thereof,extends circumferentially about and over a portion of the sidewall 24 kof the base portion 16 k, generally near the upper end 20 k thereof. Theskirt portion 30 k may be secured to the base portion 16 k by any meansknown in the art, such as by gluing or fusing the inner surface 252 ofthe skirt portion 30 k to the outer peripheral surface 18 k of thesidewall 24 k of the base portion 16 k. Furthermore, the skirt portion30 k may be secured to the base portion 16 k via a wrapping material(not shown), as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,933, issued to Weder,Aug. 13, 1991, and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The skirt portion 30 k may be constructed from any material which may besecured to the sidewall 24 k of the flower pot cover 10 k. For example,the skirt portion 30 k may be constructed of films, papers, cloths,organic polymers, cellophanes, metal foils, thermoplastics and/or otherflexible materials.

Description of FIGS. 29-30

Shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, is a flower pot cover 10 m constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s). The flower pot cover 10 m defines a receiving space 14 madapted to receive an object, such as the growing medium 15 a (FIG. 29)or the flower pot 15 (FIG. 30).

The flower pot cover 10 m has a base or lower portion 16 m desirablyconstructed of a rigid material. The base portion 16 m has an upper end20 m, a lower end 22 m and a continuous sidewall 24 m having an innersurface 256. The sidewall 24 m of the base portion 16 m of the flowerpot cover 10 m has a thickness 26 m.

The flower pot cover 10 m is further provided with a flexible skirt orupper portion 30 m having a thickness 36 m which is less than thethickness 26 m of the sidewall 24 m of the base portion 16 m of theflower pot cover 10 m and which is desirably tapered so as to providethe skirt portion 30 m with a billowy appearance. The skirt portion 30 mextends circumferentially about the upper end 20 m of the base portion16 m of the flower pot cover 10 m in a generally outwardly and upwardlydirection substantially as shown. The base portion 16 m of the flowerpot cover 10 m is further provided with a bottom 32 m having a thickness34 m which is greater than the thickness 26 m of the sidewall 24 m ofthe base portion 16 m.

The skirt portion has a first end 46 m, a second end 48 m, an outersurface 258 and an inner surface 260 defining a generally circularlyshaped skirt portion opening 254 m formed through a central portionthereof. The outer peripheral surface 18 m of the skirt portion 30 m,near the first end 46 m thereof, has a diameter substantially equal to adiameter of the inner surface 256 of sidewall 24 m of the base portion16 m, near the upper end 20 m thereof, so that the outer surface 258 ofthe skirt portion 30 m, near the first end 46 m thereof, matinglyengages the inner surface 256 of the sidewall 24 m of the base portion16 m, near the upper end 20 m thereof.

To form the flower pot cover 10 m, the skirt portion 30 m is disposedgenerally above the base portion 16 m and positioned on the upper end 20m of the base portion 16 m so that the first end 46 m of the skirtportion 30 m of the flower pot cover 10 m extends downwardly into thereceiving space 14 m of the base portion 16 m of the flower pot cover 10m. In this position, the skirt portion 30 m, near the first end 46 mthereof, matingly engages a portion of the inner surface 256 of thesidewall 24 m of the base portion 16 m, generally near the upper end 20m thereof. The skirt portion 30 m may be secured to the base portion 16m by any means known in the art, such as by gluing or fusing the skirtportion 30 m to the inner surface 256 of the sidewall 24 m of the baseportion 16 m of the flower pot cover 10 m. Furthermore, the skirtportion 30 m may be secured to the base portion 16 m via a wrappingmaterial (not shown), as substantially disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,038,933, issued to Weder, Aug. 13, 1991, and which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

The skirt portion 30 m may be constructed from any material which may besecured to the sidewall 24 m of the flower pot cover 10 m. For example,the skirt portion 30 m may be constructed of films, papers, cloths,organic polymers, cellophanes, metal foils, thermoplastics and/or otherflexible materials.

Description of FIGS. 31-32

Shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, is a flower pot cover 10 n constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s). The flower pot cover 10 n defines a receiving space 14 nadapted to receive an object, such as the growing medium 15 a (FIG. 31)or the flower pot 15 (FIG. 32).

The flower pot cover 10 n has a base or lower portion 16 n which isdesirably constructed of a rigid material. The base portion 16 n has anupper end 20 n, a lower end 22 n and a continuous sidewall 24 n havingan inner surface 256 n and an outer surface 247 n. The sidewall 24 n ofthe base portion 16 n of the flower pot cover 10 n has a thickness 26 n.

The flower pot cover 10 n is further provided with a flexible skirt orupper portion 30 n having a thickness 36 n which is less than thethickness 26 n of the sidewall 24 n of the base portion 16 n of theflower pot cover 10 n and which is desirably tapered so as to providethe skirt portion 30 n with a billowy appearance. The skirt portion 30 nextends from the upper end 20 n of the base portion 16 n of the flowerpot cover 10 n in a generally outwardly and upwardly directionsubstantially as shown. The base portion 16 n of the flower pot cover 10n is further provided with a bottom 32 n having a thickness 34 n whichis greater than the thickness 26 n of the sidewall 24 n of the baseportion 16 n.

The skirt portion 30 n has a first end 46 n, a second end 48 n, an outerlayer 264, an inner layer 266 and a cavity 268 disposed between theouter layer 264 and the inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 nadapted to receive the upper end 20 n of the base portion 16 n of theflower pot cover 10 n. The inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 n ofthe flower pot cover 10 n defines a generally circularly shaped skirtportion opening 270 formed through a central portion thereof.

The inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 n, near the first end 46 nthereof, has a diameter substantially equal to or less than an innerdiameter of the sidewall 24 n of the base portion 16 n, near the upperend 20 n thereof, so that the inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 nmatingly engages the inner surface 256 n of the sidewall 24 n of thebase portion 16 n of the flower pot cover 10 n when the skirt portion 16n is positioned on the upper end 20 n of the base portion 16 n.

Likewise, the outer layer 264 of the skirt portion 30 n, near the firstend 46 n thereof, has a diameter substantially equal to or greater thanan outside diameter of the sidewall 24 n of the base portion 16 n, nearthe upper end thereof, so that the outer layer 264 of the skirt portion30 n is matingly engaged with the outer peripheral surface 18 n of thesidewall 24 n of the base portion 16 n of the flower pot cover 10 n whenthe skirt portion 16 n is positioned on the upper end 20 n of the baseportion 16 n.

To form the flower pot cover 10 n, the skirt portion 30 n is disposedgenerally above the base portion 16 n and positioned on the upper end 20n of the base portion 16 n so that the upper end 20 n of the sidewall 24n of the base portion 16 n is disposed within the cavity 268 formedbetween the inner and the outer layers 264 and 266, respectively, of theskirt portion 30 n. In this position, the outer layer 264 of the skirtportion 30 n, near the first end 46 n thereof, matingly engages thesidewall 24 n of the base portion 16 n, generally near the upper end 20n thereof; and, the inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 n, near thefirst end 46 n thereof, matingly engages a portion of the sidewall 24 nof the base portion 16 n, generally near the upper end 20 n thereof. Theskirt portion 30 n is then secured to the base portion 16 n by any meansknown in the art, such as by gluing or fusing the outer layer 264 andthe inner layer 266 of the skirt portion 30 n to the sidewall 24 n ofthe base portion 16 n of the flower pot cover 10 n.

Description of FIGS. 33-35

Shown in FIGS. 33-35 and designated by the general reference numeral 10p is a flower pot cover constructed in accordance with the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The flower pot cover 10 pdefines a receiving space 14 p adapted to receive an object, such as afloral grouping (not shown).

The flower pot cover 10 p has a rigid base or lower portion 16 p havingan upper end 20 p, a lower end 22 p and a continuous sidewall 24 p. Athin, flexible skirt portion 30 p of the flower pot cover 10 p extendscircumferentially about the upper end 20 p of the base portion 16 p ofthe flower pot cover 10 p in a generally upwardly and outwardlydirection substantially as shown. The base portion 16 p of the flowerpot cover 10 p is further provided with a bottom 32 p shown in phantomin FIG. 33.

The skirt portion 30 p of the flower pot cover 10 p is formed integrallywith the base portion 16 p and has a first end 46 p, a second end 48 pand an outer peripheral edge 50 p. The skirt portion 18 p of the flowerpot cover 10 p has a thickness (not shown) less than the thickness ofthe sidewall 24 p of the base portion 16 p. The skirt portion 30 p ofthe flower pot cover 10 p is constructed of a plurality of contiguouslydisposed flexible skirt segments 274 with each of the skirt segments 274circumferentially disposed about the upper end 20 p of the sidewall 24 pof the base portion 16 p of the flower pot cover 10 p and extendingupwardly and outwardly therefrom substantially as shown.

Each of the skirt segments 274 forming the skirt portion 30 p of theflower pot cover 10 p has a first side 276 and a second side 278. Theskirt segments 274 may be spatially disposed about the sidewall 24 p ofthe base portion 16 p so that each skirt segment 274 is spaced adistance from the adjacent skirt segment 274 as substantially shown inFIG. 33. Alternatively, the skirt segments 274 may be disposed about thesidewall 24 p of the base portion 16 p so that the first side 276 ofeach skirt segment 274 abuttingly engages the second side 278 of theadjacent skirt segment 274 as substantially shown in FIG. 34.Furthermore, the skirt segments 274 may be disposed about the sidewall24 p of the base portion 16 p so that the first side 276 of each skirtsegment 274 overlaps the second side 278 of the adjacent skirt segment274 as substantially shown in FIG. 35.

It should be understood that the flower pot cover 10 p is desirablyconstructed from a thermoplastic sheet of material which has beenthermal formed or molded into the flower pot cover 10 p. However, italso should be understood that the flower pot cover 10 p may beconstructed from any process formerly disclosed herein, such as a vacuumforming or injection molding process. Processes for forming plastics,resins or the like into objects, such as the flower pot cover 10 p, arewell known in the art. Therefore, no further comments concerning theseprocesses are deemed necessary to teach a person skilled in the art howto build or use the flower pot cover 10 p.

Preferably, the base portion 16 p and the skirt portion 18 p of theflower pot cover 10 p are integrally formed. However, it should beunderstood that the base portion 16 p and the skirt portion 30 p of theflower pot cover 10 p may not be integrally formed and in this instance,the base portion 16 p and the skirt portion 30 p may be bonded togethervia a suitable bonding material.

The skirt portions of the flower pot covers described above can have anysuitable geometric appearance and the skirt portions appearance willdepend on the configuration of the sheet of material from which theflower pot cover is formed. For example, the skirt portion 30 of theflower pot cover 10 is provided with a four-cornered appearance and theskirt portion 30 k of the flower pot cover 10 k is provided with agenerally scalloped shaped appearance.

A scent may be applied to the flower pot covers disclosed herein so thatthe flower pot covers exude a fragrance. For example, the flower potcovers may be scented with a floral scent, (flower blossoms, or anyportion of a plant), food scent (chocolate, sugar, fruits), herb orspice scent (cinnamon), or the like. Such scents are well known in theart and are commercially available.

The scent may be disposed upon the sheet of material 12 by spraying thescent thereupon, painting the scent thereupon, brushing the scentthereupon, lacquering the scent thereupon, immersing the sheet ofmaterial in a scent-containing liquid, exposing the sheet of material toscent-containing gas, or any combinations thereof.

The scent may be contained within a lacquer, or other liquid, before itis disposed upon the sheet of material 12. The scent may also becontained within a dye, ink, and/or pigment (not shown). Such dyes, inksand pigments are known in the art, and are commercially available, andmay be disposed upon or incorporated in the sheet of material 12 orother sheets described herein by any method described herein or known inthe art.

Changes may be made in the various elements, components, parts andassemblies described herein or in the steps or sequences of steps in themethods described herein without departing from the spirit and the scopeof the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as definedin the following claims.

1. A decorative plant package, comprising: a decorative flower pot comprising: a base portion defining a receiving space and being constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, the base portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, the sidewall being substantially devoid of overlapping folds and having decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall; and a flexible skirt portion extending from the sidewall of the base portion, wherein the flexible skirt portion extends circumferentially about at least a portion of the upper end of the base portion in a generally outwardly and upwardly direction, and wherein the flexible skirt portion has a loose, flexible billowy appearance and has a diminishing thickness extending from a first end to a second end thereof; a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping, wherein at least a portion of the retaining medium is disposed in the receiving space of the base portion of the decorative flower pot and is held and retained therein; and wherein the decorative flower pot provides a decorative plant package for the floral grouping without the requirement of a flower pot cover.
 2. The plant package of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the decorative flower pot further comprises a closed bottom.
 3. The plant package of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the decorative flower pot further comprises a partially closed bottom wherein at least one open area is formed in the bottom.
 4. The plant package of claim 1, wherein the decorative ornamentation disposed on the decorative flower pot is selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, embossing, texturing and combinations thereof.
 5. The plant package of claim 4, wherein the decorative ornamentation includes at least two of the ornamentations selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing.
 6. A method of providing a plant package, comprising the steps of: providing a decorative flower pot comprising: a base portion defining a receiving space and being constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, the base portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, the sidewall being substantially devoid of overlapping folds and having decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall; and a flexible skirt portion extending from the sidewall of the base portion, wherein the flexible skirt portion extends circumferentially about at least a portion of the upper end of the base portion in a generally outwardly and upwardly direction, and wherein the flexible skirt portion has a loose, flexible billowy appearance and has a diminishing thickness extending from a first end to a second end thereof; disposing a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping within the decorative flower pot, wherein at least a portion of the retaining medium is disposed in the receiving space of the base portion of the decorative flower pot and is held and retained therein, and wherein the decorative flower pot provides a decorative plant package for the floral grouping without the requirement of a flower pot cover.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a decorative flower pot, the base portion of the decorative flower pot further comprises a closed bottom.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a decorative flower pot, the base portion of the decorative flower pot further comprises a partially closed bottom wherein at least one open area is formed in the bottom.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a decorative flower pot, the decorative ornamentation disposed on the decorative flower pot is selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, embossing, texturing and combinations thereof.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the decorative ornamentation includes at least two of the ornamentations selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing. 